China’s CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard started building two new E-Flexer cruiseferries for STENA LINE, both scheduled for deliveries in 2022. The ships (Estelle and Ebba) are the last of the 5x E-Flexer vessels ordered by STENA LINE via Stena RoRo.
The vessels will be 240 m long and have a wheeled cargo capacity of 3600 lanemetres, bigger than the first 3 units in the series. As a result, the ferries will have 50% more cabins and beds, 30% increased passenger capacity and an additional 15% cargo capacity. They will be equipped to use shore power during port calls in order to reduce emissions.
STENA LINE also confirmed that the 3rd ship in the series, Stena Embla, was expected to be delivered on time and would start operating between Belfast (Northern Ireland) and Liverpool (England) in January 2021.
STENA is also extending two existing cruiseferries - Stena Mersey and Stena Lagan, by 36 m and adding drive-through capabilities for loading/unloading in 2 levels. The modifications are expected to increase the cargo capacity by 30% and add 75 cabins.